Abstract:
An interconnect structure for integrated circuits incorporates manganese silicate (80) and manganese silicon nitride layers (60,90) that completely surrounds copper wires (20,120) in integrated circuits and methods for making the same are provided. The manganese silicate forms a barrier against copper diffusing out of the wires, thereby protecting the insulator from premature breakdown, and protecting transistors from degradation by copper. The manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride also promote strong adhesion between copper and insulators, thus preserving the mechanical integrity of the devices during manufacture and use. The strong adhesion at the copper- manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride interfaces also protect against failure by electromigration of the copper during use of the devices. The manganese - containing sheath also protects the copper from corrosion by oxygen or water from its surroundings.
Abstract:
An interconnect structure for integrated circuits incorporates manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride layers that completely surrounds copper wires in integrated circuits and methods for making the same are provided. The manganese silicate forms a barrier against copper diffusing out of the wires, thereby protecting the insulator from premature breakdown, and protecting transistors from degradation by copper. The manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride also promote strong adhesion between copper and insulators, thus preserving the mechanical integrity of the devices during manufacture and use. The strong adhesion at the copper- manganese silicate and manganese silicon nitride interfaces also protect against failure by electromigration of the copper during use of the devices. The manganese- containing sheath also protects the copper from corrosion by oxygen or water from its surroundings.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a dielectric layer disposed over the substrate, the dielectric layer having a first trench. A first metal layer is disposed in the first trench. A first layer of a material having a first dielectric constant is disposed over the dielectric layer, the first layer having a via in registration with the metal disposed in the first trench. A second layer of a material having a second dielectric constant is disposed over the first layer of material, the second layer having a second trench in registration with the via. The first dielectric constant is higher than the second dielectric constant. A second metal layer is disposed in the via and second trench, the second metal layer being in contact with the first metal layer.
Abstract:
A plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process is provided for depositing one or more dielectric material layers on a substrate for use in interconnect structures of integrated circuits. The method comprises the steps of depositing a fluorinated amorphous carbon (a-F:C) layer (128) on a substrate (120). An adhesion promoter layer of relatively hydrogen-free hydrogeneated silicon carbide (126, 130) is then deposited on the a-F:C layer using silane (SiH4) and methane (CH4) as the deposition gases. The deposited silicon carbide layer (126, 130) has relatively few hyrogen bonds thereby yielding a compact structure which promotes adhesion to a silicon nitride layer (124, 132) and to the a-F:C layer (128), and which reduces diffusion of fluorine through the silicon carbide layer. A silicon nitride layer (132) having relatively few hydrogen bonds is then deposited on the adhesion promoter layer. This stacked layer structure has thermal stability and resists peeling and cracking up to 450 DEG C, and the a-F:C dielectric layer has a dielectric constant (k) as low, or lower, than 2.5.